Hey gang,
Hope you’re all well and keeping safe and healthy.
As was mentioned in a previous blog post, at the start of this year I set myself the task of reading 52 books (one for each week of the year). I’m doing pretty well at the moment actually, at the time of posting this I have read 25 with 5 books currently on the go (I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t making my life more difficult). The books include fiction, biography, collections of essays, short stories, a couple series etc. One of the books I choose to read (having been bullied, sorry convinced, into it by my mate Charis) was Emma by Jane Austen. I read it online, via Sparknotes, they’ve got quite a few books on their website you can read for free actually, click here to find them.
Anyway, I did not realise the length of this book when I started it, it goes on FOREVER. That being said though, I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt a bit stupid for not having read it sooner. I fell in love with the book and the story, with proud Emma and the wonderful Mr Knightley, I hated Mrs Elton – that stupid cow, and felt so much for the poor clueless Harriet. I watched various adaptations of the book once I had finished it, including the 2009 TV series with the beautiful Johnny Lee Miller and Clueless (it is based on it, however loosely, though I mainly watched this one cos Clueless is amazing and you should all watch it), and was desperate to watch the new film directed by Autumn de Wilde! We missed it when it was on in cinemas, but I convinced the parents we needed to get it on digital download. And so, we watched it! Here is a little review of it for you lovely lot.
Right where to start. Okay casting, the casting (by Jessica Ronane) is exquisite and perfect and just brilliant. Some of my favourites include Miranda Hart, the perfect Miss Bates, she is truly wonderful. Mia Goth plays the innocence and naivety of Harriet Smith brilliantly. Tanya Reynold as Mrs Elton was great, when I saw she was cast I wasn’t too sure, having only seen her in Sex Education, but oh my she was amazing as Mrs E. It was a very talented ensemble, for me the only weakness was Connor Swindells and his skinny legs, but he grew on me and I was with him come the end. I love Bill Nighy in everything because he’s Bill Nighy and he’s wonderful so, no surprise, I thought he was great here. The film itself felt quite Bill Nighy, if that makes sense, like it was very nuanced and subtle but also incredibly clear and funny at the same time. It also had some Wes Anderson feel about it, in the choreography of the staff at Hartfield, the composition of some of the shots etc. The whole film was visually beautiful, the costumes were stunning as well as the locations. Mum got very excited when they mentioned going to Box Hill, it being about a 15 minute drive from our house, though was disappointed they’d chosen an ‘unattractive’ part of it on which to shoot – it wasn’t actually shot there so you can take our word for it that Box Hill is beaut.
Because I haven’t long since read Emma, it was clear to me when things were missed or story lines were cut short or less emphasis was put on them, which was disappointing, however, I am fully aware that getting 55 chapters of text into a 2 hour film would have been pretty impossible and the majority and ‘important parts’ of the story were all there and almost verbatim in places. The love triangle of Frank Churchill (Callum Turner), Emma (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Mr Knightley (Johnny Flynn) felt underplayed and a bit of a stretch, as we didn’t see a huge amount of Frank anyway. I was also a bit upset by how the relationship of Isabella Woodhouse (Chloe Pirrie) and John Knightley (Oliver Chris – you should know how much I like Oliver Chris by now) was portrayed, in the book I always thought they were so in love and happy in each other’s company, however, in this adaptation they were snapping at and tired of each other and that just didn’t feel right to me.
I have to talk about the relationship between Emma and Knightley, it being the main part of this film and also, it just being one of my favourite things in this world! Anya Taylor-Joy played Emma brilliantly, the pride, privilege, stubbornness, and haughty nature were there, and it was lovely to see her soften, learn and grow. Johnny Flynn, the beautiful Johnny Flynn, was great. He is a very talented actor. I couldn't take my eyes off him, his acting is so soft and subtle and engaging. He was perfect. I think I’m a bit in love with Mr Knightley, I fell in love with Johnny Lee Miller when he played him too. The camera angles and the shots around their relationship were very clever, focussing on hand touches, especially at the ball, and catches of eye, showing the audience exactly what they needed to see without spelling it out.
The film had a modern feel even though it was very period, which was a result of the cinematography, the acting and the lightness throughout. The music also helped, having classical elements with a modern lightheartedness. I really enjoyed this adaptation and I'm very happy I managed to see it.
Thanks for reading, you’re all wonderful. See you soon!
Ellie x